Missing Wheat Ridge woman's family relieved remains found

WHEAT RIDGE — There's no way the discovery of Leann "Annie" Meyer's remains could have satisfied her family and friends, but at least now they can stop searching.

"She's found, we know where she is, that's a good thing," her mom, Pat Meyer, said. "We don't have to keep wondering where she is anymore."

Meyer was reported missing from her Wheat Ridge home in February. Her remains were identified this weekend, friends and family said Monday.

The police investigation into the disappearance of the 51-year-old is shifting into a criminal probe, Wheat Ridge Police Chief Dan Brennan said Tuesday morning.

Annie Meyer was last heard from Feb. 10 during a phone call with her mother. Her co-workers reported her missing Feb. 27. Since then, her friends, family and investigators have been scouring the state in a "long and arduous" search, Brennan said.

"I can't even tell you how many posters we've posted — we wallpapered the entire state of Colorado," said Tammy Haselhorst of Wheat Ridge, who has been Annie Meyer's friend for upwards of 25 years. The two met when Annie and Haselhorst's sister were on the same softball team.

"This is a difficult case, and it's been difficult for Annie's family," Brennan said Tuesday. "One of the stated outcomes for the investigation was to find Annie, and we found her."

"It's bittersweet. It makes me feel better that she's not laying out there alone." Haselhorst said through tears. "And now we just need to see someone come to justice for this."

Park County Sheriff's Capt. Sven Bonnelycke said homeowners reported finding bones on their property July 4 — a call that is normal in the rural county. But when officers responded this time, they determined the remains found in the wooded area were human.

Wheat Ridge Investigations Commander Dave Pickett called the discovery of Meyer's body the "first significant lead we've had in several months."

Annie Meyer's family traveled from Minnesota Monday night. It was Pat Meyer's sixth or seventh trip to Colorado since her daughter disappeared.

Pat Meyer said she was out with friends Monday when she learned her daughter's remains had been identified.

"I cried the whole way home," she said. "She's gonna be missed by so many people. Everybody loved her."

"The family needs that closure and it's good to have her back with us so that she can get the respect that she deserves now," said Margaret Coughlan, who grew up with Annie and attended the same high school and college.

The area where Meyer's remains were found is not one that would be frequented by hikers. The area is accessible by ways other than private property.

"There are several access points for this," he said.

No manner or cause of death has been determined. Pickett said there were signs of "significant animal activity."

Pickett said Meyer's roommate Melissa Miller remains a person of interest in the case, but she has invoked her Constitutional right to remain silent and is not cooperating with police.

Jefferson County District Attorney spokeswoman Pam Russell said investigators are continuing to search the scene for more info, but no arrest warrants have been issued.

"At least at this point, she's home," Russell said. "As hard as that is for everybody, I think everybody's ready for the next stage."